Potsdam's first gay pride parade on Saturday to end with rally, drag show

Thursday, April 24, 2014 - 5:29 pm

POTSDAM -- There will be a gay pride parade on April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. starting on Main Street near Ives Park, continuing down Pierrepont Avenue and ending at SUNY Potsdam's Barrington Student Union.

A rally and drag show will follow the parade at 3 p.m. in the union's multi-purpose room.

The parade is a project of Prof. John Youngblood’s undergraduate class on issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communications.

“They’re learning a great deal about LGBT rights and the experiences they undergo,” said Youngblood. “The parade is mainly to bring awareness to the campus and the community about these issues and to celebrate this minority group.”

“The class has graciously invited me to be in the parade, and I have accepted their invitation,” said Mayor Stephen Yurgartis.

“To the best of my knowledge this in a new event for the North Country,” Yurgartis said.

“I think the students have a great idea, and I am pleased to be part of it. Potsdam is generous and inclusive community, and I have no doubt that the parade will be well received,” the mayor said.